How to Measure Your Risk: Body Mass Index

Most of us know when we gain weight. Clothes no longer fit. The mirror becomes an irritating reminder, and the scale is permanently hidden under the bed. But it’s far too easy to overlook these warning signs and remain in the dark about your health risks from overweight and obesity.

Fortunately, science offers two methods for assessing body fat. While they’re not perfectly accurate, they both tell you whether, and how urgently, you need to take steps to control your weight and reduce your cancer risk.

1. Body Mass Index (BMI)* is one common method used to measure overweight and obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height. The BMI chart shows four ranges: underweight, healthy, overweight and obese. Staying within the healthy range throughout life is important for lowering your cancer risk.

Use the BMI Calculator , the mathematical formula, or the BMI chart to estimate your total body fat.

2. Waist Circumference is another method of assessing your body weight. All you need to do is find a tape measure and follow these easy steps.

Place a tape measure around your waist immediately above the tip of your hipbone.

Measure your waist after exhaling.

Determine your health risk. For women, a waist measurement of 31.5 inches or more indicates high risk. For men, a waist measurement of 37 inches or more indicates high risk.

BMI - Mathamatical Formula

Body Mass Index equation:

BMI = [

weight in pounds
(height in inches) x (height in inches)

] x 703

For example, a person who weighs 150 pounds and is 5 feet 3 inches tall has a BMI of 26.5.

[

150 lbs.
(63 inches) x (63 inches)

] x 703 = 26.5

BMI Chart

To use the table, find your height in the left-hand column labeled "height." Locate your weight (in pounds) to the right. The number at the bottom of that weight column is the BMI for your height and weight.

Height

Weight in Pounds (without clothes)

4'11''

94<

99

104

109

114

119

124

128

133

138

143

148

173

198

5'

97

102

107

112

118

123

128

133

138

143

148

153

179

204

5'1''

100

106

111

116

122

127

132

137

143

148

153

158

185

211

5'2''

104

109

115

120

126

131

136

142

147

153

158

164

191

218

5'3''

107

113

118

124

130

135

141

146

152

158

163

169

197

225

5'4''

110

116

122

128

134

140

145

151

157

163

169

174

204

232

5'5''

114

120

126

132

138

144

150

156

162

168

174

180

210

240

5'6''

118

124

130

136

142

148

155

161

167

173

179

186

216

247

5'7''

121

127

134

140

146

153

159

166

172

178

185

191

223

255

5'8''

125

131

138

144

151

158

164

171

177

184

190

197

230

262

5'9''

128

135

142

149

155

162

169

176

182

189

196

203

236

270

5'10''

132

139

146

153

160

167

174

181

188

195

202

207

243

278

5'11''

136

143

150

157

165

172

179

186

193

200

208

215

250

286

6'

140

147

154

162

169

177

184

191

199

206

213

221

258

294

6'1''

144

151

159

166

174

182

189

197

204

212

219

227

265

302

6'2''

148

155

163

171

179

186

194

202

210

218

225

233

272

311

BMI

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

35

40

Learn More

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BMI Calculator

Height:

feet

and

inch(es)

Weight:

pounds

Your BMI:

BMI

Weight Status

Below 18.5

Underweight

18.5 - 24.9

Normal

25.0 - 29.9

Overweight

30.0 and Above

Obese

BMI may not be an accurate measure for everyone, including people who have more muscle mass, like athletes; seniors with less muscle mass; or for people under 5 feet tall.